The Committee
- Takes note that Cuba has nominated The practice of Cuban Son (No. 02299) for inscription on the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity:
Son is a traditional music and dance practice that blends singing, instruments, rhythm and movement. It is performed in pairs or groups and combines improvisation with structured patterns. Son includes lyrics drawn from daily life, which are passed down orally, and brings together African and European musical influences. The dance is closely connected to the music, with the bass and instruments guiding the dancers steps. The practice involves various roles such as singers, dancers, composers, musicians and instrument makers. The singer leads the performance, often improvising verses and guiding the dance, while the ‘tres’ (a string instrument) plays a key musical role.
- Considers that, from the information included in the file, the nomination satisfies the following criteria for inscription on the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity:
R.1: Son can be danced freely or with set choreography, often with the man leading the rhythm and steps. Son is passed down through both formal and informal education. Families, community gatherings and bands play an important part in transmitting the skills and traditions to younger generations. Elders share their knowledge, and schools and cultural centres include Son in their programmes to keep the practice alive. Son strengthens community bonds and contributes to the oral transmission of popular culture. It also promotes creativity, communication and a shared sense of heritage, belonging and identity both within and beyond the community.
R.2: This event is rooted in popular culture and is enriched by movement between rural and urban environments, based on mutual respect for the feelings and knowledge associated with these different festive spaces. The element is present in everyday life and plays an important role in generating economic opportunities for artists and others involved in creative work and performances, as well as promoting social cohesion and cultural diversity. The inscription of the element would contribute to enhancing visibility and awareness of the importance of intangible cultural heritage at the local, national and international levels.
R.3: A safeguarding plan has been adopted as a kind of agreement between the parties interested in continuing the cultural practice. This plan is based on a community-driven strategy and involves actions to be carried out in the short, medium and long term. These actions are clearly formulated and organized into three main areas: (a) capacity-building and the recognition of rights holders; (b) education and promotion; and (c) identification and awareness.
R.4: The desire to register the element came from the bearer communities. They also participated actively in all stages of the nomination process. Working groups and participatory workshops were held at the national, provincial and municipal levels. The work followed a schedule drawn up by the practitioners, who provided guidelines for correctly identifying the manifestation. By taking a proactive stance until the final stage of documentation and drafting of the nomination file, they lent credibility to the process.
R.5: The element was included in the Inventory of the practice of Cuban sound, element of Cuba’s intangible cultural heritage in 2012. This inventory was developed in twelve provinces across the country with broad community participation as a dynamic, analytical process implemented in five stages. It was updated between 2020 and 2024.
- Decides to inscribe The practice of Cuban Son on the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.